The Garmin Approach G80 Review: Is it Worth It?

We were in lockdown during the Covid, and I had way too much time on my hands.

I started to get into golf as a way to get some exercise and also because it is a great social game. Initially, we weren’t allowed to play, so I bought myself a golf net to practice at home.

This was great, but I needed feedback on my game.

I first heard about the Approach G80 while looking for a golf GPS device. At the time, I was interested in getting a device that would help me improve my game and lower my score. 

It comes with a variety of practice modes, which include tempo training, providing feedback, and evaluating your swing in order to develop accuracy and consistency. The device also has a built-in radar that measures club head speed, ball speed, and swing tempo.

Here’s my take on the Garmin Approach G80, who should purchase it, and the features that you are going to find to be the most helpful.

What is Garmin Approach G80?

According to Garmin, the Approach G80 is the first all-in-one premium GPS golf handheld with an integrated launch monitor. You can easily track club head speed, ball speed, smash factor, swing tempo, and estimated distance.

The G80 comes with a case and a clip that you can put on your belt. The device is light, and when in the pocket, it doesn’t feel intrusive.

You’ll find the touchscreen very easy to use, and you can also lock the screen so it doesn’t disrupt your game and take you more time on the course. 

SPECS

The G80 gives you a lot of data about your round of golf and also allows you to review your performance after the game. 

Battery life is pretty good, I have managed to play two to three 18 holes with no problem. You can also use the device to play a virtual round of golf at some of the most famous courses in the world.

Tempo training is a great feature that gives you feedback on the speed of your swing; there are several modes you can flick through, starting from amateur tempo swing through to PRO tempo swing – slow and fast.

Specification	Details
Display	3.5″ sunlight-readable touchscreen display
Battery Type	Rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery Life	Up to 15 hours (GPS mode)
Water Rating	IPX7
Preloaded Courses	More than 41,000 worldwide
Full-Color Course Maps	Yes
Touch Targeting	Yes
PlaysLike Distance	Yes, adjusts for uphill and downhill shots
Practice and Game Modes	Yes, includes warm-up and tempo training
Integrated Launch Monitor	Yes, tracks club head speed, ball speed, smash factor, swing tempo, and estimated distance
Other Features	PinPointer feature, Green View with manual pin positioning, custom target capabilities

Pricing

There are other GPS devices on the market that are slightly cheaper, but the Approach G80 offers a lot of features that other devices don’t have.

The big reason you’ll find the Garmin Approach G80 to be more expensive is the launch monitor technology use. 

I find the price to be fair because of the versatility. However, like anything else you must commit to using it. 

I had my friend over on several occasions, and we had some great games with the G80.Overall the G80 has helped me to improve course management and save a few strokes off my game. I can’t say it guarantees stroke saving because you must put the time in. 

Features

So, let’s talk about what makes this device so special. First of all, it comes with 41,000+ pre-loaded golf courses from all over the world. You can also download new courses wirelessly with the G80.

When you are on the course, the G80 will automatically keep track of your score, fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts per hole.

Full-Colour Mapping

One of my favorite features is the full-color course view mapping. This is a feature that allows you to see the layout of the hole, hazards, and green.

It is really helpful when you are trying to figure out your game plan for the hole. You can also see the distance to the front, back, and middle of the green, which is helpful.

Built-in Radar

When practicing at the range or at home, the built-in radar gives you feedback on your club head speed, ball speed, and swing tempo.

This is helpful to improve your game. The fun starts with the virtual round, which allows you to compete with other golfers worldwide.

I’ve been working on increasing my clubhead speed as a means to gain some extra distance. The G80 has been great in allowing me to get this done.

Tournament Mode

The G80 also has a tournament mode that simulates the conditions of a real tournament. This is helpful to prepare you for a big tournament.

The device also comes with a scorecard feature that allows you to keep track of your progress and review your performance after the game.

Garmin Golf App

The G80 is compatible with the Garmin golf app. Garmin is a pretty advanced company, and its technology is always quite good. The app lets you keep track of your game, share your scorecards with friends, and compete in virtual tournaments.

The app is simple, but you can use it to look at your performance stats and download additional maps, and course stats, which are quite handy.

Live scoring is also a great feature that lets you see how you are doing in real-time.

Battery

It takes under 30 seconds to turn on and connect to the GPS satellite, which is good, but sometimes, when you are in a rush, you may forget to do so and start your game without the GPS on, which is really frustrating.

The Garmin promises up to 15 hours of battery life. I had my device for over 18 months now and can say that the battery life is really good.

Recently I played two rounds of golf and I still had more than half of the battery left.

The Downside 

Like all technology, there is usually something that is not great about it.

With the G80 the issue really is just bringing another device with you on the course. Since this doesn’t work on your phone and you don’t wear it on your wrist like a GPS watch, you have to be committed to yet another piece of tech. 

This was one of my initial concerns but now I’m really not bothered by it.

It’s a small device, and it’s kind of nice to be able to track my game and information without having to worry about looking at my phone at the same time. 

Who Should Buy The Garmin Approach G80? 

After having the Garmin Approach G80 in play for quite some, these are the golfers that I think would benefit the most from this technology. 

• The Improving Amateur: If this is your year to drop the handicap, the G80’s integrated launch monitor and practice modes offer immediate feedback on key performance metrics, aiding in consistent game improvement.

• The Competitive Club Golfer: Playingl in tournaments and looking to fine-tune your skills? The strategic advantages of PlaysLike Distance, tournament mode, and full-color course mapping for better shot planning and course management.

• The Tech-Savvy Golfer: If you are like me and want some extra tech on the course you’ll have all the tracking, analysis, and data you need with the Garmin Approach G80 in your pocket. 

My Results/Verdict

I have been using the G80 for over 18 months now, and I am very happy with it. It has helped me improve my game, and I have seen a significant improvement in my scoring.

I found it accurate, and it has never failed me.

The device is very user-friendly and easy to use. You can also download new courses wirelessly, which is helpful.

The mapping feature is what really made the difference for me in scoring. I’m able to plan out my shots considerably better and make smarter decisions on the course. 

The only downside of the device is that it is a bit expensive, but it is worth the investment if you are serious about your game. In addition, I would recommend it to anyone who has goals to lower their score.